Director of Communications Maurice Merchant has defended Public Works Minister Maria Bird Browne, describing the criticism against her as “unwarranted” and politically driven.

Speaking at Thursday’s Cabinet press briefing, Merchant said Bird Browne was being unfairly targeted after exposing alleged irregularities in the sale of government vehicles — the issue now known as “Vehicle-Gate.”

“The whistleblower has become the one under attack,” he said, insisting the minister revealed the questionable transactions rather than participated in them.

Opposition figures and civic groups continue to demand an independent inquiry, alleging the mismanagement of nearly 100 government vehicles.

The Cabinet has rejected those calls, with Merchant stating that the government’s focus is on recovering funds from dealerships involved, not on what he called “name and shame” politics.